Chapter 7
Movie Star Persona
Randi started the day out with a walk with the pups and then a cup of tea. She shared a few quick texts with Martin and around eleven was on her way to the hospital. Technically, she was still on the clock for Martin and didn’t have to check in with Nancy.
Martin was waiting for Celia’s family to arrive and had asked if she would join him. There was no way she would say ‘no’, so she met him at the hotel. He was waiting as she pulled up. He was carrying a newspaper and wearing a baseball hat and sunglasses to help hide his movie star persona.
He climbed in, leaned over for a quick kiss and then buckled up. She had returned the rental and was driving her parent’s car. A part of her felt embarrassed that the interior was slightly worn, though it was clean. Martin didn’t speak for a few moments. She could tell his mind was on what awaited them at the hospital. “I hope the tabloids haven’t gotten a whiff of this.”
“How would they find out?”
“Who knows? A tip from a nurse, a doctor, an aide . . . I’m hoping after I speak with Celia’s parents that I will no longer be needed.”
Randi let out a sigh and almost jumped when Martin spoke again. “Where did you get the car?”
“It’s my dad’s. He would be driving it for work but his hours have been cut and he may be laid-off in the near future.”
“Wow. I hate to hear that.”
“I know.” Randi paused while she maneuvered her way through an intersection. “I think he knew but didn’t tell anyone. He’s re-grouping. He’s not old enough to retire.”
“What did he do?” Martin asked folding the paper and tucking it under his arm. They were approaching the hospital and Randi paused while she made the turn into the parking lot.
“He’s a manager at a distribution center. The company is downsizing. They’re using computers more and just don’t need as many employees. A computer can do the work of two or three, or in some cases, more.”
“I’m just glad they can’t act.”
Randi could feel Martin looking her way and when she pulled into a parking spot, she laughed. “Quit that.”
“What? You sit and look at me while I’m driving.”
“That’s different,” she said, putting the car into park.
“No, it’s not,” he said unbuckling his seatbelt and taking off his sunglasses. He gave her a smile that meant he wanted a kiss.
Randi smiled and took off her seatbelt. She turned in the seat to face him. “I still say it’s different.”
“I don’t care anymore. Kiss me.”
“I didn’t know you were going to be so demanding. I think you’re too used to getting what you want.”
“You could be right.” Martin moved closer and reached out, touching her cheek. The look in his eyes all but said he knew that she melted inside when he touched her. There was no need for him to ask and even if he wasn’t thinking it, it was a fact. It was truly breathtaking anytime Martin’s fingers brushed her skin.
Their kiss was amazing, and thankfully when they parted, there were no paparazzi in sight. Something started beeping and Randi pulled back. “Are you wearing a bomb?”
“No, but I love that alarm. I found it last night while playing with my phone.” Martin brushed his lips across hers before pulling back and taking out his phone. He pushed a few buttons and then put his phone back into his pocket.
Randi let her eyes roam over Martin. He was wearing jeans, a pocket T and a blue jean jacket. “Where did you get the duds?”
“Emma dropped them off. I thought if I wore something less conspicuous I might blend in better.”
“You might pull it off. Want me to call you Mike?” Randi asked, as they climbed out of the car. Martin looked at her over the roof of the car.
“Very cute, and, no. I think having one Mike hanging around is enough. But, the less often anyone says my name, the better off we’ll be.” Randi locked the doors and walked to the back of the car. Martin put on his sunglasses and took her hand.
“If you think it’s in bad taste, I can wait in the car.” She could tell as Martin stopped that he was thinking this over.
“It might be in bad taste but I don’t want to face them alone. They more than likely hate me and I’m not always good at saying the right thing.”
“You, the actor, not say the right thing? Can’t you just pull some character up and act like it’s a movie?”
“That’s not always as easy as you might think but I might have to try. Still… I’d rather have you there.”
“I don’t mind. I’m just not sure my being there will help,” Randi said, as they started walking toward the main entrance.
“You’ll be a big help even if it’s just moral support.”
“I’ll do my best but I’m not sure I’ll be much help.”
“You’ll be more help than you know. For one, Mike won’t throw as many daggers with you around.”
“So, the truth comes out. You’re going to use me as a human shield.”
“If I can.” Martin pushed her in front of him as they walked through the doors.
“I knew it all along. You only want me for my body.”
Martin grinned slyly. As they stepped into the elevator, and thankfully were alone, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “I think it’s a fair trade. I get yours and you get mine.”
“It might not be a fair trade,” Randi said, “but it sounds good to me.”
*****
Martin knew that he teased and poked fun a lot when he was nervous. Thankfully, Randi could hold her own with him helping him to mask his true feelings. Down deep, he was worried about Celia and was not looking forward to facing her family or Mike.
The kiss didn’t last long and he hoped, as the elevator doors opened, that he didn’t look nervous. As they stepped off, he held Randi’s hand with one of his hands and slipped off his shades with the other. He started to hang his shades off his shirt but Randi took them from him and put them in her purse.
The hospital was busy with people coming and going. Most of the people didn’t even glance their way as they walked down the hall to a private waiting room. Not wanting to be seen by any more people than necessary, they went straight inside. Martin was relieved as they stepped into an empty room.
He glanced around and noticed that there was hot coffee, cream and sugar, a fruit tray and a variety of pastries on the counter. Randi tugged his hand. “Do you want decaf today?”
“Does my nervousness show that much?”
“I don’t think it would to just anyone, but I can tell.”
Martin squeezed her hand and thought about the things Addison had said. He wanted this relationship to be as honest as possible so, as he looked at Randi, he asked, “Do you feel like I’m treating you like my maid when I ask you to do things? I don’t want you to feel that way.”
Randi smiled such a sweet smile and pushed her way into his arms. She rested one hand on his chest and touched her other fingers lightly to his chin. “That’s very sweet of you, but, ‘no’. I don’t think that. I would do just about anything for you. I don’t mind waiting on you or running errands.”
“Good. If I ever cross some kind of line that I don’t see, please, say something.”
“I will. Now, would you like me to fix you some coffee, Mr. Taylor?”
“Stop that and, ‘yes’, I would. But, you are right, please make it decaf.”
Randi was just handing Martin his cup of coffee when the door opened. They both turned to see Mike coming in with Celia’s parents. They were talking as they entered the room but grew quiet when they saw Martin with Randi.
Mike’s brow furrowed for an instant but then, the angry look was gone. “We passed one of the nurses in the hall,” Mike said. “The doctor will be in shortly to see the Carson’s.”
Martin nodded, walked closer to Edward and Vicky and held out his hand. Edward simply shook his hand but, as always, Vicky reached out and gave him a hug. She whispered into his ear, “It’s good to see you, Martin.”
He nodded as he leaned back and she gave him a slight half smile. “Have you been in to see Celia?” Vicky asked.
Martin wanted to cross his arms but knew that would look defensive. Instead, he turned to Randi, took the cup of coffee she was holding and looked back at the Carson’s. “I just arrived, so, no.”
Vicky stole a glance at Mike then looked at Randi. It was obvious she wanted to say something, but didn’t. Martin noticed that Randi was the one now looking nervous. She turned her back busying herself with the coffee pot.
It was too late but he could see, for Randi’s sake, that it would have been better not to bring her along. Then again, Randi was a part of his life now and the Carson’s were just going to have to deal with it.
There was no time like the present to start stating facts. “I know this is awkward. I wanted to be here for Celia since she didn’t have family here. Mike,” Martin gestured toward his friend, “has been a great help. He has been working with Celia and, from this point on, I think it would be best if he steps in and I step out.”
While Martin was speaking, the doctor came in and closed the door behind him. Martin thought about stopping but decided it would be best if he finished his thought. Once he was done, the doctor stepped forward and pointed his clipboard in his direction.
“That might be a little difficult. I did not mean to drop in on a conversation that was not intended for me, but it seems I did.”
Martin wasn’t sure what the doctor meant so he asked, “What might be difficult?”
“You leaving. I have some news about Celia. She has amnesia and has lost at least a few weeks of her life. She’s asking for you, Mr. Taylor.”
Martin didn’t know what to say. What he wanted to do was shout, ‘Bull! There’s no way she’s lost her memory’. This was some kind of ‘Celia’ ploy. He was sure everyone else in the room was thinking the same thing . . . but no one was willing to admit it.
It was Vicky who spoke first. She glanced from Martin to the doctor. “How do you know? What did she say?”
“Well, I’ve spoken with Mr. Taylor and know that over the last few weeks he and your daughter split up. She’s talking about an upcoming party at Mr. Taylor’s house.”
“Yes. That party was two weeks ago. Can we see her?”
“She’s sleeping but you can go in. I want to advise you that this condition is short-term. Most head injuries with memory lapse are temporary. But, don’t argue with her.”
Martin nodded. There was no way he was going to go along with this. Celia had no more lost her memory than he had. Edward, Vicky and the doctor slipped out of the room, with Mike not far behind.
“Are you coming?” Vicky paused, looking at Martin.
“I’ll let you go in first. I’m sure she is anxious to see you.” Martin doubted this to be the truth but it sounded good. Vicky smiled, turned and walked out the door.
Mike paused and waited until everyone was out of earshot and spoke to Martin, “I can see you don’t think she’s telling the truth.”
“No, I don’t. Do you?” Martin asked.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to wait and talk with her. From the way she has been talking about you over the past couple of weeks, I don’t see her doing something like this.”
“Then you don’t know her very well,” Martin scoffed. Martin could tell what Mike was about to say didn’t come easy. After a long moment, the man he had known for years looked him in the eye and said, “I don’t care if she is faking. If you don’t go along with her until she’s out of this hospital, you’ll regret it.
“You made her look like an idiot. You didn’t consider her feelings and if you are any kind of a man, you’ll make up for that. If she’s faking, she needs help. If she’s not, in a few days it will all be over then you can go on with your life and be done with Celia once and for all.”